Ranger Rantshttp://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants
Andrew Gross goes off The Record to discuss all things Blueshirt, from line changes to trade rumorsengrossa@northjersey.comCopyright 20152015-03-03T18:51:29+00:00First practice for Sheppard, Zuccarello not on icehttp://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/first_practice_for_sheppard_zuccarello_not_on_ice/
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/first_practice_for_sheppard_zuccarello_not_on_ice/#When:18:51:29ZThe Rangers held a noon practice today here in Greenburgh,&nbsp; N.Y. before flying to Detroit for tomorrow night’s game against the Red Wings,&nbsp; the start of a five-game road trip that also includes games against the Blackhawks (Sunday), Islanders (next Tuesday), Capitals (next Wednesday) and Sabres (next Saturday).
Mats Zuccarello was given a maintenance day off from today’s practice for what coach Alain Vigneault described as a “boo-boo,” though the French-Canadian coach said that was pronounced and spelled “Bo-Bo.” Vigneault said Zuccarello is expected to play against the Red Wings and there is no level of concern that he won’t.
If Zuccarello does play, it appears Tanner Glass will be the extra forward. The fourth-liner practiced today in Zuccarello’s spot alongside Derick Brassard and Rick Nash while newcomer James Sheppard, acquired from the Sharks on Sunday, took Glass’ spot as the fourth-line left wing alongside Dominic Moore and right wing Jesper Fast. For Sheppard, it was his first practice or time on the ice with his new teammates as he did not play in Monday’s impressive 4-1 win over the Predators following his cross-country travel from San Jose.
Right now, Vigneault said he expects Sheppard to make his Rangers’ debut against the Red Wings, though Vigneault said the lineup had not been finalized.
“I remember him a lot from Minnesota when he started off as a young player,” Vigneault said. “From my understanding,&nbsp; and we had Doug Risebrough (the former Wild general manager who is now a Rangers’ scout), he is a smart player who can a pretty good two-way game and that is versatile. He can play all three forward positions. I think for our bottom six, depending on how he plays, he’ll get an opportunity and we’ll see where he fits in.
At the same time, Vigneault said Glass’ game has improved recently.
“I think Tanner has played well in his role,”&nbsp; Vigneault said. “The dynamics that he brings to our group, I would say the last little while he has played the exact type of hockey we expected, the physicality, being a deterrent against the other team’s physicality. I think he’s done that. I think with the addition of an individual that can play that center position and has done that in the past - that’s Sheppard - that will help our group.”
Sheppard said he was playing mostly on the third line with Sharks. He said he had “mixed feelings” when learning of the trade just because he enjoyed his Sharks’ teammates. However, he is happy to once again be Dan Boyle’s teammate - “I played with Dan Boyle, which was a treat so it’s nice to see him here,” Sheppard said - and also knows Brassard “a little bit.”
At the same time, Sheppard said he’s always had a good perception of the Rangers, who swept the two-game season series from the Sharks with a 4-0 win at San Jose and a 3-1 win at Madison Square Garden.
“I’m a little biased because I was in the West but it was like a West team in the East,” Sheppard said. “They were offensive.&nbsp; They were defensive. They played as a team. They had good special teams. They were a team that was in your face all the time. They’re tough to play against, especially at home. A lot of big guys on this team.&nbsp; They play in your face, they play physical but they have a little bit of touch as well.”
Other than Zuccarello, every healthy Ranger was on the ice for practice.
Defenseman Keith Yandle, who made his Rangers’ debut Monday night against the Predators after being acquired on Sunday from the Coyotes, got to practice with his teammates for the first time.
“It was a little nerve wracking,&nbsp; a little bit, being out there with a new team for the first time and getting used to the guys,” Yandle said of Monday’s win over the Predators. “I’m learning the guys’ tendencies more. Obviously, playing against them, you know how good they are but I’m learning the guys’ tendencies. At practice, it was good today.”
And now off to LaGuardia, to go off to Detroit…
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Follow the Record Sports Staff at twitter.com/TheRecordSports2015-03-03T18:51:29+00:00Rangers 4, Predators 1: Rewindhttp://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/rangers_4_predators_1_rewind/
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/rangers_4_predators_1_rewind/#When:04:18:48ZWHAT IT MEANS: The Rangers, playing in coach Alain Vigneault’s words “one of their most complete games in a while,” moved back into first place in the Metropolitan Division with an emphatic 4-1 win over the Western Conference-leading Predators. The Rangers and second-place Islanders both have 84 points but the Rangers have played two fewer games and have two more ROW (regulation or overtime wins). The Rangers are also now three points ahead of the third-place Penguins, with each team having played 62 games, and six points ahead of the fourth-place Capitals, who have played two extra games. The Rangers are also within three points of the overall lead in the Eastern Conference.
WHY IT HAPPENED: The Rangers played one of the season’s best all-around games, outskating, for the most part, the equally-speedy Predators and limiting their chances, not just in holding the Predators to 26 shots but, for the most part, keeping most of those chances to the outside. The Predators did start pressing in the third period but Cam Talbot was calmly equal to the task. Offensively, the Rangers again got good performances across four lines - Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard each had two assists - and Dominic Moore iced the win with his goal at 5:51 of the third period as he got free at the crease to slide in the rebound of Dan Girardi’s shot from the right point. The Rangers did well to establish the tempo and their crispness from the opening faceoff, keeping the Predators on their heels throughout the first period. It also certainly helped that the Rangers played like a relieved team with the trade deadline passing. There’s a sense of relief in just knowing what the group heading to the playoffs looks like. But, on a more personal level, there’s a definite sense of relief in the room that Mats Zuccarello and the Rangers came to a contract agreement and the popular teammate was not traded.
LINK TO RECORD GAME STORY:
Please click here.
OF NOTE:
- The Rangers and Mats Zuccarello finalized a four-year contract extension worth $18 million for an annual average salary cap figure of $4.5 million. The deal also includes a full no-trade clause in the first season.
“I love all my teammates, I love everything about New York and playing at the Garden,” said Zuccarello, calling the Rangers, “family.” “I think it’s a good fit for me to play here. I’m real excited.” The Rangers and Zuccarello’s agent, Don Meehan, resumed negotiations after talks had bogged down and the team, on Saturday, let it be known that they would listen to trade offers for the 27-year-old Norwegian. “You can never know but I think every person knew that I wanted to stay here,” Zuccarello said. “It is what it is. I wasn’t really in the middle of it (negotiations). At the end of the day, it worked out.” And if Zuccarello is thrilled about the development, so are his teammates.&nbsp; “It’s huge,” Marc Staal said. “He’s been a big part of this team for a long time. I’m glad he got something done that he can be comfortable with and the team can be comfortable with. I’m ecstatic he chose to stay.”
- Defenseman Keith Yandle played 19:41 - all two minutes on the Rangers’ lone power play - and was a minus-1 in his Rangers’ debut. The reviews were good, especially considering Yandle didn’t have much time to learn the Rangers’ team concept or what is expected from the defenseman with no morning skate today. “It’s a little bit more up-tempo,” Yandle said of the Rangers’ system compared to the Coyotes’. “It’s a lot different from where I came from. But they (the coaching staff) made it real simple for me before the game.” “He as good,” Staal added. “He made some nice plays. It’s going to be exciting to get to play with him. He’s a gret player. We’re excited ont he backend to have him contribute.” Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said of Yandle, “You could tell he was poised with the puck, the puck skills, good compete level on the dump-ins when we didn’t have the puck. He was helping his partner out. I thought for his first game, it was a good outing.”
- The Rangers now lead the NHL with a plus-43 goal differential
- The Rangers are on a 7-0-2 streak at home, the team’s longest home point streak since going 8-0-3 Feb. 16-April 4, 2008
- The Western Conference is widely considered the stronger one but the Rangers are 14-3-5 against West opponents this season
- Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Cam Talbot is the first Rangers goalie to earn at least a point in at least 10 consecutive starts at Madison Square Garden (7-0-3) since Henrik Lundqvist went 11 straight starts with at least a point at the Garden from Feb. 16-April 4, 2008.
QUOTABLE:
- Rangers coach Alain Vigneault: “It was a good test for us to see where we are against the No. 1 team in the NHL at this point. The guys knew they had a real strong challenge. I thought the four lines and the six defensemen and Cam when he had to make some saves, in the second half he had a few saves he had to make. He looked more and more comfortable as the game went on.”
- RW Mats Zuccarello: “Obviously this is where I want to be and i want to be a part of this team. I want to try and win with this team. This is where I have been all along.&nbsp; This is home and it feels nice that I am going to be able to try to win with this team for a period (of time) now and I feel really happy about that. I am really excited.”
- D Keith Yandle: “It was awesome. I had a little bit of butterflies and i was nervous a little bit just being on a new team but the crowd did a great job of welcoming me.&nbsp; The teammates in here made it really easy for me. It was a fun game and a great to get a win.”
- D Ryan McDonagh: “It’s the great thing about what we’ve done here before the trade deadline.&nbsp; We set ourselves up to hopefully make the playoffs and go into the playoffs hoping to do some damage, making something special out of it. It’s great to see management want to improve our team that way.”
- G Cam Talbot: “I’m getting a lot more comfortable, a lot more confident. It just seems like I’m letting the play come to me a little bit more as opposed to being overaggressive. I’m a little bit more settled so I’m growing more comfortable and more confident every game.”
- D Marc Staal: “That was our expectation anyway to go in and win. It definitely makes it exciting. You get a talent like that in your lineup going down the stretch, I think everyone just gets excited to be able to go into the playoffs and try to make a run.”
MY THREE RANGERS’ STARS:
1. Mats Zuccarello: The happiest guy in the building tonight set up two goals with deft passes, no matter the length. His touch pass on Derick Brassard’s cross-ice feed teed it up for Marc Staal and then he found Chris Kreider cutting to the net from the right boards. He logged 17:59.
2. Cam Talbot: As good as Pekka Rinne is - and he is a potential Vezina Trophy candidate or, possibly, Hart Trophy candidate - Talbot was better tonight. He didn’t see much work early but grew progressively stronger as the work load increased. Always square to the puck tonight, Talbot made 10 of his 25 saves in the third period.
3. Rick Nash: He didn’t score his 38th goal until there were 44.0 seconds left - and it was an empty-netter - but Nash’s defense led to his first-period breakaway and he logged 1:48 on the penalty kill as the Rangers killed off all three of the Predators’ chances. His 20:15 of ice time was easily the most among the forwards.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Rangers practice at noon on Tuesday before flying to Detroit for Wednesday night’s game against the Red Wings.
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Follow the Record Sports Staff at twitter.com/TheRecordSports2015-03-03T04:18:48+00:00Live Blog: Rangers beat Predators, 4-1http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/live_blog_rangers_vs._predators_2_2/
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/live_blog_rangers_vs._predators_2_2/#When:23:51:30ZObviously, the buzz tonight will be watching Keith Yandle make his Rangers’ debut.
Please see the previous blog post for all that was said before the game by Yandle as well as rarely-quoted GM Glen Sather.
The Rangers (38-17-6) lost 3-2 at Nashville on Feb. 7, which, prior to Saturday’s 3-2 loss at Philadelphia, had been their last regulation defeat. The Predators (41-15-7) have lost two straight and are not nearly as dominating on the road with a 15-10-6 mark. The Rangers and Predators are tied for an NHL-leading goal differential of plus-40.
Rangers RW Jesper Fast returns to the lineup for the first time since spraining his right knee Feb. 7 at Nashville.
Rangers:
Rick Nash-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Marty St. Louis
Carl Hagelin-Kevin Hayes-J.T. Miller
Tanner Glass-Dominic Moore-Jesper Fast
Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Dan Boyle
Keith Yandle-Kevin Klein
Cam Talbot (12-6-3,&nbsp; 2.51 goals against average,&nbsp; .915 save percentage)
Predators
Colin Wilson-Mike Ribeiro-James Neal
Filip Forsberg-Mike Fisher-Craig Smith
Matt Cullen-Michael Santorelli-Taylor Beck
Eric Nystrom-Paul Gaustad-Gabriel Bourque
Roman Josi-Shea Weber
Mattias Ekholm-Cody Franson
Victor Bartley-Seth Jones
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Follow the Record Sports Staff at twitter.com/TheRecordSports2015-03-02T23:51:30+00:00Zuccarello deal officially announced; Yandle, Sather and Vigneault meet the press before gamehttp://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/zuccarello_deal_officially_announced_yandle_sather_and_vigneault_meet_the_press_before_game/
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/zuccarello_deal_officially_announced_yandle_sather_and_vigneault_meet_the_press_before_game/#When:23:10:06ZGM Glen Sather said the Rangers shook hands on a deal with Mats Zuccarello on Sunday and, this afternoon, they have officially announced what is a four-year, $18 million deal with an average salary cap hit of $4.5 million and a no-trade clause in the first season.
Meanwhile prior to tonight’s game with the Predators here at Madison Square Garden, Sather, new Ranger defenseman Keith Yandle and coach Alain Vigneault met with the media to discuss Sunday’s flurry of activity.
First, here’s the release on Zuccarello, then click below for the comments from Sather, Vigneault and Yandle.
“New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the team has agreed to terms with forward Mats Zuccarello on a contract extension.
Zuccarello, 27, has skated in 59 games with the Rangers this season, registering 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points, along with a plus-13 rating and 35 penalty minutes. He ranks second on the Rangers in takeaways (46), is tied for third in game-winning goals (three) and even strength assists (18), ranks fourth in assists and shots on goal (127), ranks fifth in points, power play assists (five), and hits (95), ranks sixth in plus/minus rating, and is tied for sixth in goals. Zuccarello posted a career-high seven-game point streak from Jan. 31 – Feb. 12, 2015, and tied his career-high by posting a five-game assist streak from Jan. 31 – Feb. 8, 2015. He registered his 100th career NHL point by tallying the game-winning goal on Nov. 11, 2014 vs. Pittsburgh, and he skated in his 200th career NHL game on Feb. 22, 2015 vs. Columbus.
Zuccarello has skated in 203 career NHL games over parts of five NHL seasons, all with the Rangers, registering 42 goals and 86 assists for 128 points, along with a plus-37 rating and 85 penalty minutes. The Oslo, Norway native has tallied more goals, assists, and points than any other Norwegian-born player in NHL history, and he is five games shy of becoming the all-time leader in games played by a Norwegian-born player. In 2013-14, Zuccarello led the Rangers with a career-high 59 points, and tied for the team lead with a career-high 40 assists. He also received the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award last season for being the player who, as chosen by the fans, “goes above and beyond the call of duty”.
The 5-8, 179-pounder has appeared in the playoffs in three different years during his NHL career. In 38 career NHL playoff games, Zuccarello has recorded six goals and 14 assists for 20 points, along with a plus-five rating and 26 penalty minutes. In the 2014 playoffs, he established playoff career-highs in games played (25), goals (five), assists (eight), points (13), and plus/minus rating (plus-seven) while helping the Rangers advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Zuccarello tied for second on the team in plus/minus rating, tied for third in assists, tied for fourth in goals and points, and ranked fifth in shots on goal (54) and hits (54) in last year’s playoffs.
Internationally, Zuccarello has represented Norway in several tournaments. Most recently, he skated in three games during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. He has represented Norway in two Olympic Games (2010, 2014), and has tallied three points (one goal, two assists) in seven career Olympic contests.
Zuccarello signed with the Rangers as a free agent on Mar. 28, 2013. He originally signed with the Blueshirts as an undrafted free agent on May 26, 2010.”
The quotes below…2015-03-02T23:10:06+00:00Rangers get C Sheppard from Sharkshttp://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/rangers_get_c_shepard_from_sharks/
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/rangers_get_c_shepard_from_sharks/#When:00:29:59ZThe Rangers’ busy day/early evening continues as center James Sheppard, 26, has been acquired from the Sharks for a fourth-round pick in 2016.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Sheppard was the ninth overall pick of the 2006 draft by the Wild. He went to the Sharks’ organization in 2011-12 and has spent the bulk of this season and last with the big-league team.
Sheppard, who’ll fill in nicely as a bottom-six center and likely allow rookie Kevin Hayes to move to a wing, has five goals and 11 assists in 57 games this season and had four goals and 16 assists in 67 games for the Sharks last season. Sheppard is playing on a one-year deal worth $1.3 million but the Sharks have reportedly retained some of that cap hit to help the Rangers remain under the cap.
The fourth-round pick sent to the Sharks is the Rangers’ original pick in 2016 and not the fourth-rounder they acquired earlier in the day from the Coyotes in the Keith Yandle deal.
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Follow the Record Sports Staff at twitter.com/TheRecordSports2015-03-02T00:29:59+00:00Stempniak shipped to Jets; Yandle trade officialhttp://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/stempniak_shipped_to_jets_yandle_trade_official/
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/stempniak_shipped_to_jets_yandle_trade_official/#When:23:37:53ZShortly after the acquisition of Keith Yandle from the Coyotes was officially announced, the Rangers have made a second trade today, shipping fourth-line right wing Lee Stempniak to the Winnipeg Jets for right wing Carl Klingberg, 24, who has spent most of this season as well as the past three in the AHL.
Stempniak, 32, had nine goals and nine assists in his 53 games as a Ranger after signing a one-year deal worth $900,000. He followed his best game as a Ranger - his two-goal outing in Thursday’s 4-3 win over the Coyotes -&nbsp; with one of his worst in Saturday’s 3-2 loss at Philadelphia.
Stempniak’s departure clears a spot for Jesper Fast to return to the lineup Monday night against the Predators.
And here’s the Rangers’ official release on the Yandle trade:
“New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the team has acquired Keith Yandle, Chris Summers, and a fourth round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for John Moore, Anthony Duclair, a second round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, and a conditional first round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Yandle, 28, has skated in 63 games this season, registering four goals and 37 assists for 41 points, along with 32 penalty minutes. Yandle is tied for the NHL lead in power play assists (24), is tied for third in the NHL in power play points (26), and is tied for 10th in the NHL in assists this season. He also leads all NHL defensemen in power play assists and power play points, is tied for first among NHL defensemen in assists, and is tied for ninth among NHL defensemen in points in 2014-15.
The 6-1, 190-pounder has skated in 558 career NHL games over parts of nine seasons, all with the Coyotes, registering 65 goals and 246 assists for 311 points, along with 372 penalty minutes. Yandle leads all NHL defensemen in power play assists (102) and power play points (120) since the start of the 2009-10 season, and he ranks sixth among all NHL players in power play assists over the span. Yandle is also tied for the NHL lead – and leads all NHL defensemen – in games played (439), ranks second among NHL defensemen in assists (211), and is tied for third among NHL defensemen in points (267) since 2009-10.
The two-time NHL All-Star (2010-11, 2011-12) is one of only two NHL defensemen who have recorded 30 or more points in every season since 2008-09, and he is also one of only two NHL defensemen who have tallied at least 40 points in five of the last six seasons (since 2009-10). Yandle has averaged at least 22 minutes of ice time in every season since 2010-11.
Yandle has reached the playoffs on three separate occasions in his NHL career. In 27 career playoff games, Yandle has registered three goals and 16 assists for 19 points, along with 14 penalty minutes. He tallied one goal and eight assists for nine points, and posted a plus-five rating in 16 games during the 2012 playoffs while helping the Coyotes reach the Western Conference Final.
The Boston, Massachusetts native was originally selected by the Coyotes in the fourth round, 105th overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
Summers, 27, has split the 2014-15 season between the Coyotes and the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League (AHL). He has skated in 17 NHL games this season, recording three assists and eight penalty minutes.
The 6-2, 209-pounder has skated in 64 career NHL games over parts of five seasons, all with the Coyotes, registering two goals and seven assists for nine points, along with 47 penalty minutes. Summers was originally selected by the Coyotes in the first round, 29th overall, of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
Moore, 24, skated in 125 games over parts of three seasons with the Rangers, registering six goals and 21 assists for 27 points, along with 49 penalty minutes. He was acquired by the Rangers in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Apr. 3, 2013.
Duclair skated in 18 games with the Rangers this season, recording one goal and six assists for seven points, along with four penalty minutes. He was originally selected by the Rangers in the third round, 80th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.”
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Follow the Record Sports Staff at twitter.com/TheRecordSports2015-03-01T23:37:53+00:00Rangers acquire Yandle from Coyotes for Duclair, John Moore and a first-round pick in 2016http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/rangers_acquire_yandle_from_coyotes_for_duclair_john_moore_and_a_first-round_pick_in_2016/
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/rangers_acquire_yandle_from_coyotes_for_duclair_john_moore_and_a_first-round_pick_in_2016/#When:21:44:55ZIf there was any doubt the Rangers were a win-now team - and there really wasn’t - it was cemented with today’s impending acquisition of defenseman Keith Yandle from the Coyotes.
The Rangers acquire Yandle and journeyman defenseman Chris Summers plus a fourth-round pick for Anthony Duclair, John Moore, a first-round pick in the 2016 draft and a second-round pick this year. The Rangers already were without a first-round pick this year. The Coyotes will retain half of Yandle’s salary-cap hit of $5.3 million. The five-year deal for Yandle, 28, expires after next season.
The issue, if there is one, is that the Rangers are potentially mortgaging their future for another run at the Stanley Cup Final this season. Duclair, 19, the speedy right wing who made such a training camp impression in making the Rangers before being loaned to Team Canada and then returned to his junior club, was expected to be a large part of the Rangers’ future. Plus, the Rangers had already sent two first-rounders to the Lightning at last season’s trade deadline for Marty St. Louis, who, at 39, is not guaranteed a contract extension for next season. So the Rangers do not have a first-round pick this season or next.
Moore,&nbsp; 24,&nbsp; struggled this season while Chris Summers, 27, the 29th overall pick in the 2006 draft, has played just 64 NHL games.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Yandle is a top offensive-minded defenseman and has four goals and 37 assists in 63 games this season and 65 goals and 246 assists in 558 NHL regular-season games for the Coyotes since being picked in the fourth round in 2005. He has two goals and 24 assists on the power play this season, so that will definitely help the Rangers.
So, to recap, the Rangers traded away their 2013 first-rounder as part of the Rick Nash deal. Their first-rounders in 2014 and this year went to the Lightning for St. Louis and now their 2016 first-rounder goes to the Coyotes for Yandle. However, the Rangers have compensated, in part, for that with the free-agent signing of former Blackhawks’ first-rounder Kevin Hayes, which is turning out to be a very, very good move.
Meanwhile, reports are the Rangers and Mats Zuccarello have re-opened negotiations and the sides are closing in on a deal, after Saturday’s swirling rumors that Zuccarello was available via trade. The Rangers clearly put the squeeze on Zuccarello, who wants to remain a Ranger, through public channels. Reportedly, the sides are closing in on a four-year deal worth $4.5 million annually with either a no-trade or no-movement clause to be finalized.
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Follow the Record Sports Staff at twitter.com/TheRecordSports2015-03-01T21:44:55+00:00Maintenance day for Girardi, Fast nears return, Zuccarello still a Ranger as deadline is tomorrowhttp://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/maintenance_day_for_girardi_fast_nears_return_zuccarello_still_a_ranger_as_deadline_is_tomorrow/
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/maintenance_day_for_girardi_fast_nears_return_zuccarello_still_a_ranger_as_deadline_is_tomorrow/#When:19:23:47ZDefenseman Dan Girardi, who took a heavy slap shot off the leg from Vincent Lecavalier in the first period of Saturday’s 3-2 loss at Philadelphia, was the lone healthy Ranger player not on the ice for today’s practice at 1 p.m.
Coach Alain Vigneault was also not on the ice as he sat in on management meetings with the NHL trade deadline Monday at 3 p.m. Vigneault said “nothing doing yet,” when asked about the team’s state of affairs. That means, for now, Mats Zuccarello is still a Ranger and was still practicing on the second power play unit while skating with Rick Nash and Derick Brassard at practice. Vigneault, though, would not give a definitive answer when pressed as to whether he believed Zuccarello would still be a Ranger after the trade deadline.
“At this time, Mats Zuccarello is a New York Ranger,” Vigneault said.
Vigneault did say he expected Girardi to be in the lineup Monday night against the Predators, even after being reminded that the last two team members to be given a maintenance day, Henrik Lundqvist (damaged blood vessel in his neck) and Rick Nash (neck spasms) missed the next game. Vigneault said Girardi had precautionary X-rays following Saturday’s loss and indicated they were negative.
Jesper Fast (sprained right knee), out since being hurt Feb. 7 at Nashville, again practiced in full with the team, though he again skated as an extra defenseman so it does not appear he’ll return to the lineup on Monday.
That is, however, different from being available if needed. Fast said he felt better and was just waiting for medical clearance to be able to return to the lineup.
If Zuccarello is traded if GM Glen Sather and Zuccarello’s agent, Don Meehan, cannot reach agreement on a contract extension, then Fast might be needed as a 12th forward.
Overall, regarding his current roster, Vigneault said, “I like our team.” However, he said, just like any other coach or management, if there is an opportunity to improve the team, it’s prudent to “certainly look at it.”
Lastly, the Rangers again said there was no update on Lundqvist or when a follow-up medical exam was to be scheduled.
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Follow the Record Sports Staff at twitter.com/TheRecordSports2015-03-01T19:23:47+00:00Flyers 4,&nbsp; Rangers 2: Rewindhttp://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/flyers_4_rangers_2_rewind/
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/flyers_4_rangers_2_rewind/#When:06:18:43ZWHAT IT MEANS: The Rangers’ 4-2 loss at Philadelphia halted their four-game winning streak snapped as well as their season-high 10-game point streak (8-0-2). They also missed a chance to move back into first place in the Metropolitan Division after the first-place Islanders lost to the visiting Hurricanes, 5-3, earlier in the day. The Rangers remain two points behind while having three games in hand. The Rangers also remain three points ahead of the third-place Penguins, with each team having played 61 games, while the fourth-place Capitals are six points behind and have played two extra games.
WHY IT HAPPENED: A few immediate reasons: 1. The Rangers power play was 0 for 3, managed just two shots and surrendered the winner on ex-Ranger Michael Del Zotto’s shorthander at 1:19 of the third period. Unacceptable, obviously. Plus, as coach Alain Vigneault acknowledged after the game, the Rangers’ power play was “outworked.” Doubly unacceptable. 2. Flyers goalie Steve Mason came up huge in a seven-save sequence from 12:37 to 13:11 of the third period, stopping, in order, Derick Brassard, Dan Boyle, Mats Zuccarello, Rick Nash, Nash again and John Moore before smothering the puck.&nbsp; The beauty was his kick save on Nash. “It’s a great save,” Nash said. ” I tried to get it up. His leg got out there real fast.” Added Mason, “They were more like desperation saves. I’m not sure if I can remember all seven of them, but there was a big one on Rick Nash where I came across with my left skate. That was a good test for the knee there. Up until that point the knee had kind of been in the back of my mind. That was a good test to let it go.” 3. The Rangers did not establish a tone early in the game, instead getting off to a sluggish start. The Rangers have prided themselves lately on “finding ways to win.” But that’s almost code for not playing consistently enough over 60 minutes to take control of games. Tonight, the Rangers just couldn’t score enough goals for one of the rare times over the last 10 games. It’s natural to think that the trade rumors surrounding Mats Zuccarello, one of the most popular players in the Rangers’ room among his teammates, has got to be affecting the team right now. Nash said that was “no excuse” but the Rangers, at times, played like a semi-shell-shocked team tonight.
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OF NOTE:
- The Rangers missed out on their chance of having the best February in team history. They finished the 28-day month with a 10-2-2 mark, which matches the franchise record - set in 1971-72 - for wins in February.
- G Cam Talbot started for the 12th time in the last 13 games and is now 8-2-2 with Henrik Lundqvist (damaged blood vessel in his neck) out. He’s allowed at least three goals in nine of those starts, including this game. Both Matt Read’s first-period goal to open the scoring at 9:42 and Michael Raffl’s second-period redirection came as the Flyers got bodies to the crease. “They’re just opportunistic when they get those chances,” Talbot said. “They made a nice play that deflected to the side two feet in the air it was probably behind the goal and pass it down and bangs off me as I am sliding across. The second one was just another tip from right in the slot. We knew that they were going to have bodies in front and they have good sticks and we need to do a little bit better job picking those up tonight.”
- The Rangers nearly got a quick start to the game when C Derek Stepan’s flip from center ice bounced past Steve Mason seven seconds in. But the goal was waved off because of a delayed offside on Chris Kreider. “If the guy is in the zone when the puck is shot, even if he’s out in time, it’s an offside,” Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said when asked if he had gotten an explanation for the call. Mason joked after the game he didn’t want to waste a save on an offside.
- D Dan Girardi took a hard slap shot off his leg from Flyers RW Vincent Lecavalier at 8:46 of the first period. Girardi appeared to be hurt on the play but did not receive treatment on the bench and remained in the game to log a team-high 24:27. The Rangers practice at noon today and there’s a possibility Girardi may have a lingering issue from the play.
- D John Moore’s goal was his first of the season.
QUOTABLE:
- Rangers coach Alain Vigneault: “We were playing against a team that was desperate. I always like 2-2 on the road going into the third. Unfortunately I don’t say that very often about any parts of our game but our power play got outworked tonight and they got the go-ahead goal. We got some looks after but we weren’t good enough tonight.”
- LW Rick Nash: “I thought our start was a little slow. It came down to our power play. Our power play needed to step up. The five guys on the first unit didn’t do the job tonight.”
- C Derek Stepan on Cam Talbot ” He played extremely well. He made some big-time saves. It was unfortunate we couldn’t help him out in the third.”
- G Cam Talbot on Michael Del Zotto’s shorthanded winner: ““I think I kind of just over-slid when I came across. I gave a little bit too much. Like I said I just kind of over pushed there and he corralled it and was able to get enough time to kind of look up and go back the other way on me. It’s a little bit more frustrating obviously. Power plays you are supposed to have the momentum and the skating momentum even if they don’t score. To have them come down and get the game winner shorthanded it’s really frustrating. To give up a goal like that and not be able to generate anything on our own power play.”
- Del Zotto on game’s being a little more personal when he faces the Rangers: ““Absolutely. You get excited for every team but a little more for these guys. It’s this time of year, very excited for every game. It’s the best time of year when you’re competing for a playoff spot. It’s a ton of fun and we were excited after the win tonight.”
MY THREE RANGERS’ STARS:
1. Dan Girardi: The robo-defenseman logged 24:27 while leading the team with four blocked shots and being credited with a team-high five hits. He was not on the ice for any of the Flyers’ goals. He was also active in the offensive zone, though four of his attempts were blocked.
2. J.T. Miller - He scored his first goal in 23 games and had four shots over 12:14.
3. Dominic Moore: The fourth-line center had five shots in 13:08, logging 2:32 on the penalty kill as the Rangers killed off all three of the Flyers’ chances.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Rangers practice at 1 p.m. on Sunday before hosting the Predators Monday night. Jesper Fast is expected to be available for the Rangers on Monday for the first time since spraining his right knee in Nashville on Feb. 7.
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Follow the Record Sports Staff at twitter.com/TheRecordSports2015-03-01T06:18:43+00:00Live Blog: Flyers beat Rangers, 4-2http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/live_blog_rangers_at_flyers_2_28/
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/live_blog_rangers_at_flyers_2_28/#When:23:26:44ZWith regards to non-Mats Zuccarello matters, tonight’s game against the Flyers here at Wells Fargo Center is another in a series of crucial ones in the Metropolitan Division race.
At the start of today’s play, the second-place Rangers were two points behind the Islanders, who have played extra games. The Islanders are hosting the Hurricanes today. The third-place Penguins are three points behind the Rangers and, after the Rangers play tonight, each will have gone through 61 games. The fourth place Capitals are six points behind the Rangers and the Rangers will still have two games in hand on them.
The Rangers (38-16-6) conclude their season series against the Flyers (26-25-11) having won the first three games, including a 3-0 win at Philadelphia on Nov. 28. G Cam Talbot (12-5-3, 2.49 goals-against average) has two of his four shutouts this season against the Flyers. The Flyers have lost two straight.
Talbot is starting for the 12th time in the last 13 games with Henrik Lundqvist (damaged blood vessel in his neck) injured.
Talbot made 31 saves in a 2-0 win over the Flyers on Nov. 19 at Madison Square Garden and 26 saves in a 3-0 victory at Philadelphia nine days later. He also stopped 25 shots in a 2-1 loss at Philadelphia on Oct. 24, 2013 in his first NHL start.
“I think we play better against the Flyers because of the rivalry,” Talbot said. “It’s easy to get up for these types of games. It’s a fun building to play in. It’s a tough building to play in. I’ve happened to have a couple of goodd games myself but they’re always a big game for us.
“They’re a big team,” Talbot added of the Flyers. “They’ve got some big boys in front. They’ve got some good sticks in front. A lot of guys have good hands and can bat the puck out of the air. They’ve got quick hands for rebounds, especially (Wayne) Simmonds and (Jakub) Voracek around the net. It’s going to be big for us to get in shooting lanes for us and if they do get through, to tie up sticks.”
Overall, Talbot said the steady work, predictably, has slowed the game down for him and, he believes, allowed him to play better.
“Yeah, every game I think my game is improving,” Talbot said. “I’m in better position. It’s easier to kind of get into a groove. There’s more video with Benny (goalie coach Benoit Allaire). We get to do more game film. If there were issues, they’re easier to correct because we get to see them on tape rather than just in practice. I feel pretty good and pretty confident overall. I feel like my legs are getting stronger and my endurance is increasing. It’s good all around.”
In the end, the Rangers, despite the trade rumors swirling around Zuccarello, must put the blinkers on and concentrate on tonight.
It’s something they’ve proven to be good at in the past.
“I think our group has gotten pretty used to it now,” captain Ryan McDonagh said. “It’s not something that we talk about or chat about. The nature of pro sports is that rumors are going to be made. Who knows? You never know what’s going on for real or not. Until something happens, you just kind of focus of what you have to do that day. That’s the best part about our group. We’re still preparing for another game here tonight, a big game, a division game and for us, that’s our main focus.”
For the Rangers, Kevin Hayes has a three-game point streak. And coach Alain Vigneault is starting tonight’s game the way he ended Thursday’s 4-3 win over the Coyotes, with Dan Boyle moved up and paired with Marc Staal and Kevin Klein paired with John Moore.
For the Flyers, leading scorers Claude Giroux (18 goals, 41 assists) and Jakub Voracek (19 goals, 45 assists) are not playing on the same line.
Rangers
Rick Nash-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Marty St. Louis
Carl Hagelin-Kevin Hayes-J.T. Miller
Tanner Glass-Dominic Moore-Lee Stempniak
Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Dan Boyle
John Moore-Kevin Klein
Cam Talbot (12-5-3, 2.49 goals-against average, .915 save percentage)
Flyers
Michael Raffl-Claude Giroux-Wayne Simmonds
Matt Read-Sean Couturier-Jakub Voracek
Ryan White-Brayden Schenn-R.J. Umberger
Chris VandeVelde-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Vincent Lecavalier
Nick Schultz-Mark Streit
Michael Del Zotto-Braydon Coburn
Nicklas Grossmann-Luke Schenn
Steve Mason (11-13-7, 2.26, .925)
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Follow the Record Sports Staff at twitter.com/TheRecordSports2015-02-28T23:26:44+00:00